Monthly Archives: August 2014

The volunteer project will support a community library in Kpalime which was established in the course of the summer 2005. The volunteer will work together with local teachers in order to create activities which will encourage the population to read and will teach them how to make researches on various subjects. Various activities can be organized in this regard: an introduction to the library; entertainment and scientific activities; awareness campaigns in schools to excite students and teachers about regularly using libraries; organizing games for children; organizing a reading contest with prizes; organizing cultural events (theater, storytelling, African night followed by dance ….)

Language: English

Duration of the project: 1 – 12 months. Volunteers are expected to arrive at the beginning of the month (from 1st to 5th of the month) because of the training week session for each project.

Accommodation: The volunteers will live with a host family which is an opportunity to learn about the local community, culture and language. Volunteers are expected to be sensitive to the local culture and make an effort to integrate into the community. So the most important qualities we are looking for are enthusiasm, flexibility and willingness to experience something completely new.

The fourth annual global conversation about the future of libraries is scheduled for October 8-9, 2014. The conference will once again be held entirely online around the clock in multiple languages and time zones. Everyone is invited to participate in this FREE forum designed to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among information professionals worldwide.

The conference is hosted by the Library 2.0 Network which is an organization dedicated to worldwide information sharing and discussion about the future of libraries. They currently have over 19,000 members from 160 countries.
To be kept informed of the latest conference news and updates, please join the Library 2.0 network. You do not need to join this network to attend, but doing so will also allow you to correspond with the presenters and other members, and to comment on sessions and discussions.

Sarah P’s comments: When I started international work in 1996 there were no organizations like this (the internet was in its infancy). It’s really great to see the library schools promoting more international cooperation and reaching across borders. I truly believe, having lived overseas for so long, that librarians are the diplomats of democracy and that the work of open information sharing is important for the development and equality of all.

About Khalifa University: With campuses in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, Khalifa University is dedicated to the advancement of learning through teaching and research and to the discovery and application of knowledge. It endeavours to be an internationally recognised research university, with a world class reputation for interdisciplinary teaching and research and a tradition of partnering with leading academic institutions from around the world.

About the Role:

The purpose of this position is to:

Provide high quality front-line customer service in the library

Assist students, faculty and staff with library resources and services

Facilitate effective and efficient library processes

Provide first level of service to users in library, on phone, on department email;

Assist library clientele with their queries and requests; make referrals to librarians as appropriate;

Sarah P’s comments: There are currently 3 librarian positions open with this University (see earlier posts as well). There is an abundance of universities in the UAE, some good, some not so good. KUSTAR does have good reviews to date and I am including a link to an article which mentions them in their discussion of the pros and cons of working in the Middle East. The article is from 2012 but the information is still accurate and the author shares some insights which you should be aware of if you are considering working in the region.

This group has come to my attention recently and I have been following their blog. They offer a potential way to gain some international exposure because their aim is to help librarians develop international networks.

Here is some brief info from their site, visit it for further information:

Participants in the program are matched with others outside their country, based on the information they provide to the program coordinators. Partnerships are made for a fixed term, and during this period the partnerships are supported by regular contact and discussion points led by the program coordinators. Supported partnerships have an end date, however it is our vision that participants would develop a widening network of ongoing, independent professional relationships.

The International Librarians Network is run by volunteers all around the world. Program coordinators match participants, support the partnerships, and manage the website. Country coordinators act as in-country contacts and support for participants, and promote the program within their country. Program participants share their experiences, opinions and ideas to create an international network of librarians.

Under limited direction, the Manger, Policy and Advocacy will be responsible for managing and implementing IFLA’s policy and advocacy activities. This position plays a leadership and strategic role in the development of policy and advocacy in order to achieve IFLA’s strategic objectives. It also participates in shaping the strategic direction and policies of the organisation.

The position reports to the Deputy Secretary General. The position supervises other designated staff. The position will require international travel and representation.

Key areas of Responsibility

Develop within our strategic directions new policy positions in support of advocacy activities; and maintain and revise existing positions as necessary; take a whole of organisational approach to implementation.

Communicate IFLA’s advocacy activities within the profession to relevant international and national bodies, and wider society

Maintain an awareness of emerging issues in the global information environment, and ensure IFLA’s advocacy strategy is relevant, flexible and capable of addressing new challenges

Ensure IFLA is represented at appropriate forums and events in support of advocacy objectives, including through personal representation

Work with the IFLA Governing Board and IFLA professional units to develop and implement advocacy activities and achieve advocacy objectives

Work with IFLA professional units to ensure that IFLA’s development programmes incorporate IFLA’s policy and advocacy work, and build on the results of these programmes to further develop policy and advocacy activities

Work with relevant staff to ensure visibility and adoption of policies across the IFLA membership.

Knowledge and Skills

Excellent knowledge of current and emerging issues within the global information environment that are relevant for libraries and their users;

Significant experience developing and communicating policy, preferably in an international context

Proven ability to engage in the global information policy sector, develop partnerships and networks, and represent the organisation in a variety of forums;

Analytical and planning ability, with demonstrated initiative and vision, and solutions-oriented approach; financial skills should include grant seeking and budgeting skills;

Good understanding of the role and functions of an international professional member-based organisation; demonstrated knowledge and capacity to apply IFLA’s purpose and values as set out in its Statutes.

Experience in developing and implementing successful international activities, in a strategic, consultative and inclusive way;

Good people management skills, and proven supervisory experience

Highly developed written and spoken communication skills in English and the ability to target style to different audiences. IFLA works in seven official languages so a good knowledge of at least one of IFLA’s working languages other than English is advantageous.

A commitment to participative management practices, workplace diversity and to working effectively within a team environment.

Applications should respond specifically to the requirements in this job description. Applications should be in English and consist of a covering letter, detailed curriculum vitae, and the names of two referees.

The American Library Association and the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) are partnering for the 14th year to provide support for ALA members to attend the 26th book fair from November 29-December 7. Free passes will be awarded to 150 librarians who work in the area of Spanish-language acquisitions. The Free Pass program provides 3 nights hotel stay (6 nights in a shared room with a colleague), continental breakfast, book fair registration, and $100 toward the cost of airfare, courtesy of ALA. FIL offers an additional $100 to the first 100 applicants who submit airfare information. Deadline for applications: September 1.